Game of Thrones is one of the most followed shows in the History of T.V Entertainment and has long enjoyed record ratings and a devoted fan following. The show is based on the works of George R.R Martin book series. His book series has a large fan following as well and when some plot is changed in the show which is different from the books, fans of George R.R Martin book series becomes divisive.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of differences that fans eagerly debate and deconstruct. Here are Seven of the most obvious differences between the page and the screen.
1. Red Wedding – Talisa Storyline
Game of Thrones most infamous scene “The Red Wedding” becomes more horrible when Robb’s pregnant wife Talisa (Jeyne Westerling in the books) was stabbed to death.
In the books, Robb takes the more sensible decision to not bring Jeyne to the wedding, and she survives, but the show’s Talisa isn’t so lucky. Even in this most brutal of moments, Talisa’s graphic fate was perhaps the most shocking.
2. Lady Stoneheart
In the books, after the death of Catelyn Stark in Red Wedding the mysterious Lady Stoneheart takes over the band of outlaws once led by Beric Dondarrion, and is eventually revealed to be none other than a resurrected and vengeful Catelyn Stark.
Every fan thought that Lady Stoneheart will make an appearance in the show but the show so far has dropped this particular idea which was very well written in the books.
It would be great to have Michelle Fairley back on the show with heavy makeup and finding a way to revenge for her son’s murder. But for now, she only remains in the book.
3. Sansa Stark and Ramsay Bolton
This is one of the most controversial changes from the books. In the book, the Lannister pass off a Stark family friend, Jeyne, to the Boltons as collateral for an important alliance, convincing the Boltons that Jeyne is actually Arya.
But in Game of Thrones series, Jeyen never enters the picture. Instead of Jeyen they married Sansa to evil Ramsay Bolton in Season 5.
In books, Ramsey holds Jeyen hostage and tortures her. In the show, he does Same to Sansa and he even rapes her while Theon watches on in horror.
After Sansa’s assault, fans were enraged with the show’s deviation from the book’s plotline. Their anger was mostly due not to Jeyne’s absence, but to the fact that the show has a questionable portrayal of sexual assault, and many feel as though poor Sansa has already suffered enough.
4. The Fate of Shireen Baratheon
This is one of the most shocking and horrible moments in Game of Thrones. It was the most buzzed about moments of Season 5 as it hasn’t happened in the books.
To increase his power Stannis Baratheon chooses to take heed of Melisandre’s warning and he burned his own daughter alive and stood by as she screamed and begged for her life.
Nothing like this has happened in George R.R Martin’s Westeros.
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5. The White Walkers
These insidious and terrifying creatures are one of the mysterious pieces of Martin’s mythology. But in his book series, they are more often talked about than seen or heard. In the live-action version of Game of Thrones, we meet the White Walkers early — in the opening sequence of the series’ first episode. Over the past five seasons, we’ve come to see their terrifying faces often, and learn more about how they operate — including what they do with the children they take as sacrifices.
6. Ser Barristan Bites the Dust
Another character whose demise is brought forward on the show is grandfatherly old knight Ser Barristan Selmy, who was slaughtered by the Sons of the Harpy in season five.
Barristan is still hale and hearty as far as the published books go, and in fact, after Danaerys’s disappearance on the back of Drogon, Barristan becomes one of the senior figures in Meereen, practically running the city in the Queen’s absence.
It’s perhaps unlikely that Barristan will survive the book series anyway, and unless George RR Martin has something drastic planned for him in The Winds of Winter, his early death in the show shouldn’t prove too much of an obstacle, and it certainly gave book-readers a rare surprise to enjoy.
7. Aegon Targaryen Lives
In Dance with Dragons which is George R.R Martin’s fifth book in the series released in 2011, it was revealed that Aegon Targaryen was alive.
It was believed that The Mountain murdered him as a baby but Aegon was secretly whisked away by Varys and he placed him in the hands of trusted allies to educate him so that one day he can reclaim the Throne for House Targaryen.
Not only does the presence of another Targaryen further muddy the line of succession to the Iron Throne (Dany may not be too pleased), it also gives us a proper answer as to just what Varys and his schemes have been in aid of all this time.